Fewer people started a new business in the first half of the year, according to a report by the ING Economisch Bureau.
In total, 68,000 people started a business, a six percent decrease compared to the same period last year. A decrease in the total number of starters is expected for the entire year due to economic conditions. ING expects that 122,000 people will start a business in 2012.
The only sector in which the number of starters increased in the first half of 2012 is transportation and logistics. Large transportation companies are becoming more likely to use freelancers, which allows for more startup activity as well, according to ING.
Despite the low startup growth in 2012, would-be entrepreneurs might get a boost from the new procurement law set to go into effect in 2013. The law will make it easier for small business to do business with the government, which offers about EUR 60 million worth of contracts each year.
You can read the full article (in Dutch) here.
